Introducing Our New DEIBJ Course Catalog!

Cynthia Featherson, California CASA DEI Manager
5/1/25

The California CASA DEIBJ Course Catalog is a comprehensive, mission-aligned resource designed to build a more equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive CASA network. It serves as a central tool in actualizing our collective values across all levels of our organization, from volunteers and staff to board leadership.

This catalog provides clear learning pathways, structured progression, and relevant content tailored to the diverse and evolving needs of our network. It reinforces our commitment to the well-being of children and families we serve—especially those most impacted by systemic inequities.

This DEIBJ Course Catalog has been designed to provide strategic value to the CASA Network. It is our intent to provide a resource that:

  1. Strengthens Volunteer Preparedness & Cultural Responsiveness

  2. Supports Staff Development & Organizational Alignment

  3. Educates and Engages Board Members

  4. Promote Consistency Across Programs

To reach this goal, we have worked hard to ensure that our DEIBJ Catalog is:

  • Built for Application: Not just theoretical knowledge – these courses are built for real-world advocacy, policy, and decision-making

  • Scalable & Accessible: Whether a program has 3 volunteers or 300, the catalog offers scalable tools that ca be adapted to local needs

  • Responsive to Political Shifts: Courses can be selected based on context, urgency, and legal/political developments that affect DEIBJ nationwide

  • A Living Resource: The catalog can grow with us – new modules, emerging topics, and deeper dives can be added over time

The DEIBJ Course Catalog is more than just a group of courses.  It is a strategic asset that:

  • Reinforces CASA’s values in action

  • Prepares us to serve every child with equity and empathy

  • Ensures our statewide network remains a leader in inclusive, trauma-informed advocacy

This DEIBJ Course Catalog includes a wide range of engaging courses—grouped in 5 Pillars:

  1. Foundation Courses (7)

  2. Identity Courses (7)

  3. History-based Courses (7)

  4. Short Courses (5) and

  5. Action & Combined Courses (5)

Additional Resources provide information on created program-specific learning pathways and creating evaluation and tracking tools.

In addition, we’re offering several different ways in which you might use the course materials so that each course can be tailored to the specific needs of your staff, volunteers, and board.

You can access the DEIBJ Catalog by clicking here.  

Please contact Cynthia Featherson, DEI Manager, at cfeatherson@californiacasa.org or by phone at 619.330.6830 with questions or suggestions.